stephen.cowles@suffolknewsherald.com

Catherine Randolph put it best recently: &uot;God uses ordinary people, and these ordinary people have done extraordinary things.&uot;

Those everyday folks to which Randolph refers are 14 individuals who, in the opinion of The Smart Set Club of Suffolk, deserve recognition for their excellence in work, religion, government, and community.

Club members submitted the nominations and a committee made the choices.

Honorees were: W. Ross Boone; Cynthia Buck; Karen D. Croston; William A. Freeman; Charles L. Harvin Sr.; Patricia F. Montgomery; Brenda L. Nichols; Nancy K. Riddick; Ronald C. Thomas Sr.; Howard Vass; Evelyn L. Wall; Clarence S. and Orpah E. West Sr; and Sandra D. Williams.

But it is not enough just to annually announce names. The group also sponsors a fund-raising banquet (this is the sixth year), with proceeds given as scholarships to deserving black students.

Recent recipients have been: Bernard W. Bailey Jr.; Ernest Nat White Jr.; Nekita Swain; Stacey Boone; Pamela Crawley; Shawneque Latice &uot;Niki&uot; Reid; Tonya Boone Cyrus; and Marshe’ Copeland Dunaway.

As for this year’s honorees, they were treated to a meal at Temple Beth-El. At one point, Gloria Colbert and Olivia Crawley highlighted the people with a computer graphic presentation projected on a wall. Photos, names and brief biographies were shown as plaques were given. Other features of the program included a solo by Charlene Williams, a poem by Benne’ Durham, and an instrumental solo by saxophonist Christopher Williams.

Smart Set members are: Susie Bennett; Fannie Bowers; Gloria Colbert; Olivia Crawley; Gail Hinton-Copeland; Mabel Lassiter; Martha Polson, charter member; Catherine Randolph; Dorlores Rawls; Beatrice Reeves, charter members; Bettie Swain; Barbara J.H. Turner, president; Theresa Williams; and Emma Willie.